Month guide · Rio de Janeiro · Brazil
Rio de Janeiro in March
What March is really like in Rio de Janeiro: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Arne Müseler, CC BY-SA 3.0 de
Quick answer
March is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 29°C (84°F), lows of 23°C (73°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 12.3 hours of daylight. Still hot and humid; after Carnival the city calms down and prices ease, though heavy rainstorms are possible.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 29°C (84°F) / 23°C (73°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 12.3 hours
- Sea temperature
- 26°C (79°F)
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in March
March is the 3rd-warmest month in Rio de Janeiro: days average 29°C (84°F) against a yearly average high of 27°C (81°F), and nights fall to about 23°C (73°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with February (30°C (86°F)), March is about as warm; by April highs stay near 28°C (82°F).
- Sunrise (15 March)
- About 05:55
- Sunset (15 March)
- About 18:09
- Daylight
- About 12.3 hours
- Sea
- 26°C (79°F)
Winter (June–August). Mild days around 25°C, cooler evenings and the clearest skies; the sea is cooler but locals still fill the beaches on sunny weekends.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, March rates 3 for crowds (the peak is January at 5) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in January). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in March
March has no major recurring festival in Rio de Janeiro, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in March
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Beach · Ipanema
Ipanema Beach
Use a lifeguard post (posto) as your meeting point and rent chairs and an umbrella from a beach stall (barraca) rather than carrying your own.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Photo spot
Landmark · Maracanã
Maracanã Stadium
Built for the 1950 World Cup and rebuilt for 2014, when it hosted the final, the Maracanã is the home ground of Flamengo and Fluminense.
- Time needed
- 1.5 hours for a tour
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- History
- After dark
- Kids
Viewpoint · Ipanema
Arpoador Rock
Arrive 30–45 minutes before sunset in summer to find a spot on the rock, and watch your footing on the way down after dark.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- Couples
- Photo spot
Landmark · Lapa
Selarón Steps
Chilean-born artist Jorge Selarón covered these 215 steps between Lapa and Santa Teresa with more than 2,000 tiles collected from over 60 countries, working on them from 1990 until his death in 2013.
- Time needed
- 30–45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Photo spot
The sea averages 26°C (79°F) — warm enough to swim. Best beaches near Rio de Janeiro.
What to pack
For highs near 29°C, lows near 23°C and 10 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is March a good time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
A shoulder-season month. If your dates are flexible, April–June and August–October are better overall. Compare every month.
Rio de Janeiro in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is March a good time to visit Rio de Janeiro?
It is a shoulder-season month. Still hot and humid; after Carnival the city calms down and prices ease, though heavy rainstorms are possible.
+How warm is Rio de Janeiro in March?
Average highs are around 29°C (84°F) and lows around 23°C (73°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Rio de Janeiro in March?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.